Business, political leaders welcome ambassadors visiting for RNC

National political conventions are about more than platforms, speeches and bashing your foes. They also are about networking, lobbying and business.

This week during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, a number of area companies and colleges are tapping into the presence of ambassadors to the United States from more than 70 countries for potential economic and educational opportunities.

The diplomats and some Cleveland business and political leaders gathered on Tuesday afternoon for a reception at Severance Hall, attended by about 300 people. Keynote speaker was Sen. Bob Corker, of Tennessee, who complimented Global Cleveland, the event organizer, for bucking a trend in the United States that troubles him.

“We are going through a period of isolation. That is the opposite of what our country needs to do,” said the two-term senator who chairs that body’s Foreign Relations Committee.

“I am so impressed by this organization that understands the importance of diversity and welcoming other people,” said Corker, who for a while was on the list of possible running mates for Donald Trump. There is now some talk that Corker could be Secretary of State under Trump.

David Fleshler, vice provost of International Affairs at Case Western Reserve University and chairman of the board at Global Cleveland, was clued in a year ago that foreign diplomats regularly attend the Republican and Democratic conventions.

“They come to observe the political process,” said Fleshler. “And in a normal convention, virtually all the top government and political officials of the party are there. They are there to network with them, to create a relationship with them.

“They are gaining insight into what the foreign and economic policy is going to look like if there is a Trump administration and for Congress.”

Fleshler realized that with so many ambassadors in the city, Cleveland leaders who want to expand or start relationships in other countries could use the same strategy.

“This is a unique opportunity,” he said.

If it goes well with the diplomats this week, Global Cleveland may have determined its workload for the next three years, said Joe Cimperman, president of the nonprofit organization. It will mean lots of follow-up work for the group that tries to attract and connect newcomers, including highly skilled immigrants, to Cuyahoga County.

Pisan Manawapat, the ambassador to the U.S. from Thailand, said he was impressed to learn about Cleveland’s philanthropic history. He described the city as welcoming.

“I don’t think I can visit too many other cities that have so much,” he said.

Mohammad Ziauddin, the ambassador from Bangladesh, said he had no problem with Global Cleveland’s courting high-ranking diplomats.

“That’s the way of the world. The world is becoming globalized. This gives them the opportunity to strengthen the relationships with other countries. What better way to do it than through business, commerce, trade, tourism and culture,” Ziauddin said.

He said he intends to talk to his country’s economic minister about exploring some things with this area.

After China, the United States is the largest importer of garments made in Bangladesh, the ambassador said.

Cimperman said the Republican National Convention could not have come to Cleveland at a better time.

“Regardless of your political leanings, there has never been a convention where the conversation of international relations, multicultural communities and immigration has been so topical,” he said.

He said Cleveland has lots of attributes to attract foreign companies. “We have fantastic school systems, quality and affordable housing. You probably have your cultural center here, and God knows you have your own restaurant,” Cimperman said.

The former Cleveland city council member said he told Cleveland leaders in business and industry that “this is our chance.”

Fleshler said CWRU strengthened its global strategy in 2008. Since then, the number of undergraduates taking classes abroad went from 19% to 45% and the total number of foreign students enrolled at the school increased from 1,396 to 2,447.

Getting a student to study abroad moves them out of their comfort level, and that, Flesher said, is a good thing.

“Employers will look for study abroad on resumes,” he said. “They know these students are more independent and more understanding of people and issues.”

Fleshler said international students who study away from their own countries are often the best and brightest from their homelands.

“They get here and a reasonable number are interested in staying,” he said. “They have linguistic capabilities and understand different cultures. It is a real resource to companies.”